Del Monte Foods Supports the New Child-Friendly MyPyramid and Promotes the Benefits of Getting Families Back to the Table; Reds, Yellows, Oranges and Greens - Kids CAN Color Their Plate For Added Nutrition.

SAN FRANCISCO -- With today's release of the child-friendly MyPyramid Food Guidance System, Del Monte Foods (NYSE:DLM) applauds the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and reminds families that eating a variety of packaged and canned fruits, vegetables and tuna offers healthy, colorful and great-tasting ways for children to adopt the new guidance system.

"We appreciate that the USDA and the HHS are encouraging all Americans, including children, to maintain a healthful lifestyle with the MyPyramid Food Guidance System," said Laura Molseed, Registered Dietitian for Del Monte Foods. "There is a critical need to get everyone in the family to eat more fruits, vegetables, lean proteins and whole grains. We see the family table as a place to nourish the body, reconnect with family and provide children with well-balanced meals."

Getting Families Back to the Table

Del Monte offers simple and easy ways to expand the weekly cooking repertoire by bringing healthful meals to the table - where the family can gather and enjoy. There is a growing movement to educate Americans about the beneficial role that the family meal plays in the development, health and success of the nation's children.

Research indicates that children who consistently eat a healthful and balanced diet are more likely to do better in school, perform better on standardized tests and have less behavior problems. Additional studies have found that children who do not typically eat dinner with their parents are more likely to be overweight and are more likely to use illegal drugs, cigarettes and alcohol than those who eat dinner with their parents at least six times a week.

"Del Monte's philosophy is based on creating dishes that bring families back to the table," said Molseed. "A variety of fruit, vegetable and tuna products takes the stress out of creating a wholesome and delicious meal, which means less time in the kitchen and more time with your family around the table."

According to Molseed, Del Monte Foods' fruit, vegetable, tomato and StarKist(R) tuna products are ideally suited to help children, parents, guardians and teachers to follow the federal government's updated food guidance system for the consumption of fruits and vegetables, and choosing fats wisely.

Getting Your Half Plate of Fruits and Vegetables

Studies show that eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables can help reduce the risk of chronic diseases in the future and play a role in weight management. The USDA and HHS recommend that children consume between three to six cups of fruits and vegetables each day, depending on the child's calorie intake, which equals approximately a half plate of fruits and vegetables at each meal.

However, recent studies reveal a critical gap in children's consumption of essential nutrients found in fruits and vegetables, including vitamins A and C, potassium, magnesium and fiber.

Del Monte offers a broad selection of conveniently packaged, nutrient-dense fruits, vegetables and tomatoes, under the Del Monte(R), Fruit Naturals(R), Orchard Select(R), Sunfresh(R), S&W(R) and Contadina(R) brands, providing children with many realistic ways to incorporate healthy eating into their daily lives. Offering families the ultimate in convenience, nutrition and year-round availability, several of Del Monte's fruit products are a good source of these important essential nutrients, including vitamins A and C, while many of Del Monte's vegetable and tomato products provide a convenient source of fiber, vitamin C and potassium. In addition, many Del Monte fruits are packed in light syrup or their own natural juices.

"One of the best things you can do as a parent is to color your child's plate with a variety of nutrient-rich fruits, vegetables and lean proteins," said Molseed. "The sooner a child starts to eat a healthful, balanced diet, the more likely that child will carry those healthful eating habits into their adulthood. I encourage parents to stock their pantries to have a variety of nutritious Del Monte products that are available at a moment's notice."

Who Says Fresh is Best?

A three-part study conducted by the University of Massachusetts found that recipes using canned ingredients are similar in nutritional and taste value to those made with fresh or frozen items when prepared in a meal. In addition, a nutrition study conducted by the University of Illinois showed that canned fruits and vegetables generally provide as much dietary fiber and nutrients as their cooked fresh and frozen counterparts.

Get A Little Corny

Children love corn and a study by Cornell University found that canned corn may be healthier than corn on the cob. The study shows that heat processing of sweet corn increases both total antioxidant activity and the level of lutein - a naturally occurring type of phytochemical found in many fruits and vegetables that may help to fight disease and may help to preserve eyesight.

Choose Fats Wisely

Recent studies show that consuming foods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids can help maintain a healthy heart, lower blood pressure and is critical for a little one's brain development.

Eating StarKist tuna is an excellent and affordable source of lean protein and essential vitamins and minerals. In fact, it is one of the easiest ways for consumers to add foods rich in Omega-3s to their diet and fulfill the twice-weekly servings of fish as recommended by the American Heart Association. StarKist tuna, the market leader and tuna category innovator, is available to consumers in canned varieties along with the first-in-class StarKist Flavor-Fresh Pouch(R), which features a fresher-tasting tuna, and is conveniently packaged, and doesn't require draining or a can opener. Additional innovative product offerings that provide consumers with variety in their diets include StarKist Tuna Fillets(TM) and StarKist Tuna Creations(TM), featuring a variety of lightly marinated tuna in the Flavor-Fresh Pouch, along with the convenient StarKist Lunch To-Go(R) kits, which are ideal for a child's lunch box.

For additional information:

--Visit www.delmonte.com for healthy meal ideas and snack solutions that children will love, and www.delmontedaily.com for a variety of convenient recipes that help provide the recommended four-and-a-half cups of fruits and vegetables daily.

--Visit www.starkist.com for a variety of convenient and nutritious recipes that are part of a healthy lifestyle.

--For more information about MyPyramid, visit www.mypyramid.gov.

About Del Monte Foods

Del Monte Foods is one of the country's largest and most well-known producer, distributor and marketer of premium quality, branded and private label food and pet products for the U.S. retail market, generating over $3 billion in pro forma net sales in fiscal 2004. With a powerful portfolio of brands including Del Monte(R), Contadina(R), StarKist(R), S&W(R), Nature's Goodness(TM), College Inn(R), 9Lives(R), Kibbles 'n Bits(R), Pup-Peroni(R), Snausages(R), Pounce (R) and Meaty Bone (R). Del Monte products are found in nine out of 10 American households. For more information on Del Monte Foods Company (NYSE:DLM), visit the Company's Web site at www.delmonte.com.

Editor's Note: Please see the Del Monte Foods' "Healthful Eating Tips" sheet below for additional nutrition facts and eating tips that contribute to a healthful lifestyle.

Del Monte Foods' Healthful Eating Tips
        By Laura Molseed, Registered Dietitian, Del Monte Foods

     Del Monte Foods nourishes families and enriches lives with a
variety of packaged and canned fruits, vegetables and tuna that offers
healthy, colorful and great-tasting ways for children to adopt the new
                    MyPyramid Food Guidance System.

   --  Fill Your Plate With Color - Children love color - reds,
       oranges, greens and even blue. Encourage your child to eat a
       variety of colored fruits and vegetables during every meal.

   --  Go Big Orange - Orange-colored fruits such as peaches and
       apricots are a good source of vitamin A, which has the
       potential to reduce the risk of cancer; may prevent
       cardiovascular disease; and may improve vision and reduce
       cataract formation.

   --  "C"ing is Believing - Grapefruit, pineapple and Mandarin
       oranges are a good source of vitamin C, which is helpful for
       asthma; may reduce the risk of heart disease; and may also
       help prevent cancer.

       --  From Fruit Naturals(R) single serve cups of Red Grapefruit
           and Pineapple Chunks to Orchard Select(R) and Sunfresh(R)
           glass jars of Apricot Halves, Citrus Salad and Peaches to
           a wide range of fruits in cans and plastic cups, Del
           Monte's fruit products offer a convenient way to get
           important nutrients such as vitamins A and C at home or on
           the go.

   --  The Benefits of Fiber at Any Age - Health authorities
       recommend getting more fiber by eating fruits and vegetables
       and whole grains that may help reduce the risk of heart
       disease.

   --  Closing the Nutrient Gap - To close the gap for vitamins A and
       C, potassium, magnesium and fiber, focus on dark leafy greens
       (like spinach), dark orange vegetables (like carrots) and
       beans (like kidney and black beans).

       --  Del Monte(R) vegetable products from Del Monte Summer
           Crisp Corn to Del Monte Green Beans to Del Monte Zucchini
           in Tomato Sauce offer consumers the ultimate in
           convenience and nutrition and are available year-round.
           Many are picked and packed within hours of
           harvesting-locking in the natural nutrition - and are
           already sliced, diced and seasoned.

   --  And, Who Says Fresh is Best? - A study conducted by the
       University of Massachusetts found that recipes made with
       canned ingredients are similar in nutritional and taste value
       to those made with fresh or frozen items. In addition, a
       nutrition study conducted by the University of Illinois showed
       that canned fruits and vegetables generally provide as much
       dietary fiber and nutrients as their cooked fresh and frozen
       counterparts.

   --  You Say Tomato - Tomatoes contain lycopene, an important
       carotenoid, which may help protect against prostate cancer and
       heart disease. Research indicates that heat from cooking or
       canning makes the lycopene in tomatoes more available to your
       body. As a result, processed tomato products such as canned
       tomatoes and sauces are among the best food sources of
       lycopene.

       --  Tomato products such as Del Monte Petite Diced Tomatoes,
           Del Monte Stewed Tomatoes and Del Monte Basil Garlic
           Oregano Diced Tomatoes are a great source of nutrition and
           the key to many quick and convenient recipes.

   --  Hold the Salt - Many Del Monte vegetables are seasoned with
       table salt - only for flavor. Several are available in
       low-salt and no-salt alternatives.

   --  Mind the Sugar - Many Del Monte fruits are packed in light
       syrup or their own natural juices.

   --  So, What's for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner? - For healthy meal
       ideas and snack solutions that children will love, visit
       www.delmonte.com and www.delmontedaily.com, for a variety of
       convenient recipes that help provide the recommended
       four-and-a-half cups of fruits and vegetables daily.